Helen lundborg



(No Model.)

H. LUNDBORG.

FIRE MASK FOR HORSES.

No. 584,947. Patented June 22,1897.

THE Norms FETERS co. WOTOLITHO,WASHINGTON. n. c.

HELEN LUNDBORG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FIRE-MASK FOR HORSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 584,947, dated June 22, 1897.

Application filed July 14, 1896; Serial No. 599,190. (N model.)

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HELEN LUNDBORG, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire- Masks for Horses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

It is well known that when a fire occurs in a stable where horses are confined the lives of many horses are sacrificed because of the difficulty of controlling them sufficiently to submit to be led out. The sight of the fire excites and terrlfies them to such a degree that they become unmanageable, and frequently after being almost rescued from danger they break away and rush back into the flames and finally perish. If, however, their eyes are bandaged, they are easily controlled and can be led away from the fire without difficulty. Heretofore there has been no device supplied for the purpose of quickly and perfectly covering the animals eyes, and when a fire occurred the attendants had to depend upon any chance article they might pick up suitable for the purpose, and more frequently than not nothing could be found conveniently at hand.

The object of my invention is to provide a contrivance for covering the horses head and shutting off the sight of the fire and excluding the flames from the animals nostrils and month; and it consists in a fire-mask made of a suitable fabric (preferably asbestos or other fireproof material) and shaped to fit over the horses head and ears, so that when a fire occurs in a stable it can be drawn quickly and easily over the horses head, thereby shutting out sight of the fire and excluding the flames.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the fire-mask,

and Fig. 2 illustrates the same drawn over a horses head.

Referring to the drawings, the flre-mask, which is designated by the letter A, is shaped so as to conform approximately to the horses head, and it comprises the nose part a, which covers the nostrils, mouth and jaws, and eyes, the head part I), having projections c c for the ears, and neck and throat part d, the un der side of which is formed with an opening e, a strap f and-buckle 9 being fastened to opposite sides of the opening to draw the same together under the jaws and throat and thereby secure the mask on the animals head.

The fire-mask, it will be observed, is entirely devoid of openings where it covers the head, face, and nose, so that the animal can not see the fire and cannot inhale the flame. There is, however, sufficient space between the mask and the head to permit breathing air entering through the opening 6. If, however, it is deemed advisable, one or more openings may be made in the side of the mask at some little distance from the nostrils to admit air, as indicated by the dotted circles; but it is not thought that these openings are necessary.

The mask is put on the horses head over the head-stall and the halter h for leading the animal is drawn through the opening e, as shown. It is preferred that the mask shall be made enough larger than the horses head to admit of its being drawn over it easily. By hanging one of these fire-masks in every stall containing a horse it is evident that when a fire occurs the lives of most of the horses can be saved, as the article, being exclusively for use on such occasions, will always be at hand and can be quickly drawn over the horses head, after which the animal can be led forth without difficulty or danger.

I claim-- A fireproof mask for horses, consisting of the nose part a which covers the face, eyes, and nostrils, thus preventing inhalation and sight of the flames, the head part I) provided with ear projections c c, and neck and throat part d, arranged and constructed with an opening 6 under the throat to admit air at a distance from the nostrils (so that the flames cannot reach them) and suitable means for fastening the maskon the head, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix. my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HELEN LUNDBORG.

Witnesses:

FREDK. HAYNES, WILTON 0. Dow. 

